Robert Walther Willingham

Robert Walther Willingham, 69, of Salem, Virginia, died on Friday, February 3, 2012 at Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital after a brief illness. He was born on March 28, 1942 in Waco, Texas, the first child of Helen (Walther) and Robert Allen Willingham. In high school, he enrolled at Peacock Military Academy, San Antonio, transferred to Waco High School, and graduated from there in 1960. He attended Kilgore College, Baylor University, and the University of North Texas. In the late 1960s, he entered the infant Information Technology sector, first with the Texas Farm Bureau and then with the Texas Department of Public Safety. In 1973, he joined the insurance software company, Continuum, where he became Senior Vice President before beginning a successful consulting business. Near the end of his career, he founded his own software company, Life Systems, Inc., and designed and developed life insurance software, working on it almost to the end of his life. In retirement, Bob enjoyed spending time with his many, many friends in Texas and around the country. In 2008, he and his wife, Carol, moved to Salem to be close to their son, daughter-in-law, and grandchildren. Bob was a voracious reader, and a keen and well-informed observer of history and politics. He loved to travel with Carol and his family and friends, and had especially enjoyed exploring his new home region in the past few years. He loved well-made cars, crossword puzzles, the Dallas Cowboys, the Texas Longhorns, Mexican food, and holding court with his friends in various restaurants, living rooms, and taverns. Most of all, he loved his family. He is survived by his wife, Carol; daughter, Kari Bowen-Zilkenat and her husband, Glenn, of League City, Texas; son, Rob Willingham and his wife, Nancy Logan, of Salem, Virginia; granddaughters, Sydney and Molly Willingham of Salem; mother, Helen Willingham Alexander of Austin, Texas; brother, John Willingham of Austin and Portland, Oregon; as well as two nieces, a nephew, and their nine children. Our family is grateful to the staff at Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital for their efforts on our husband and fathers behalf at the end of his life.